Keep It Real with Nolan Rucker

Nolan Rucker

Keep It Real with Nolan Rucker is a podcast about the real work it takes to grow in business and in life. This is me speaking from the trenches. I’m not at the top yet, but I’m on my way, and I’m sharing it all in real time. The wins, the losses, the habits, the mindset shifts, the discipline, and the doubt. No fluff, no filters. Just raw, unpolished lessons from someone building it day by day. You’ll hear a lot of real estate here, but this podcast is for anyone in any industry, any stage of life, any age. If you’re about growth, getting better, and keeping it real, you’ll feel at home here.

  1. Feb 4

    Ep 22 - The Dummy Tax: 16 Years of Real Estate Lessons with Edgar Chavez

    What happens when you stop overthinking and start taking action? In this episode, I’m joined by Edgar Chavez, a Designated Broker and owner of Momentum Brokers, who has been in the game for 16 years. Despite never having a formal call before this, Edgar and I realized instantly that we operate on the exact same frequency—no fluff, just high-level value. Edgar shares his journey from being a young agent in suits and ties in California to running a brokerage with 27 agents back home in Arizona. We dive deep into the "dummy tax" he’s paid over nearly two decades, the importance of inner alignment, and why time is the only part of the success equation you can't buy back. In this episode, we discuss: The Transition to Brokerage: Moving from a solo agent to a DB and the "forced accountability" of leading a team. Simple vs. Easy: Why most people fail because they overcomplicate the basics like cold calling and showing up. Real vs. Fake Dopamine: How to audit your distractions and trade the "scroll" for real fulfillment in the gym and with family. The Power of Proximity: Why we both prioritize surrounding ourselves with 1-percenters like Dustin Runyon and the Tuesday Growth community. The Bottom Line: You are the creator of your own future, but you have to be intentional with your environment. If you're tired of self-sabotage, it's time to get real about your calendar and who you’re listening to. Connect with Edgar: Follow him on Instagram @EdgarChavez for more on commercial real estate and brokerage leadership. Join the Crew: I host an open Zoom every Tuesday for agents who want to level up. DM me on Instagram to get the link!

    33 min
  2. Jan 13

    Ep 17 - Choose Your Hard (w/ Kevin Kauffman and Chris Bowers)

    I’ve learned that everything we’re taught about “working hard” in real estate can actually keep us stuck. In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Kauffman and Chris Bowers to have a raw, unfiltered conversation about what it really takes to build a business that works without you. This isn’t about hustling harder—it’s about recognizing that being busy is often the enemy of being profitable. We dive into the uncomfortable truths of choosing the right kind of hard, the kind that sets you free instead of trapping you. 🔑 What We Cover How the 80/20 principle reshapes your entire businessWhy staying emotionally neutral helps me manage 10+ pending deals while still taking vacationsThe compound effect of smart decisions vs. daily time drainsBuilding systems that generate revenue without constant interventionThe “mountain climbing” philosophy: supporting others without forcing your methodStrategic counterbalance vs. chasing perfect balanceOvercoming the mental barriers that keep agents from leveraging their business💡 My Takeaway For me, this conversation was about showing that success doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your life. I’ve proven that you can grow, stay profitable, and still protect your peace of mind. Working smarter—not harder—is the real path to freedom. 👉 Ready to design your next-level business strategy? Learn more at nextlevelagents.com/exp. Visit my website: www.soldbyrucker.com. And if you enjoy the episode, please leave us a review at ratethispodcast.com/nla.

    1h 8m
  3. Jan 8

    Ep 16 - How to Close More Real Estate While Working Less (Leverage, Systems, and the Social Media Strategy That Got 3M Views)

    What if your best income year came from working fewer hours, not more? Nolan Rucker just closed out 26.5 million in sales—his most profitable year ever—and he did it while taking more vacations, building serious leverage, and never showing half his listings in person. While the industry's hitting back-to-back 30-year lows in transaction volume, Nolan's proving that the old playbook is completely broken. In this episode, we break down the systems, mindset shifts, and tactical strategies that allowed Nolan to increase his dollar-per-hour while actually working less. From turning away nightmare clients to building a social media presence that generated 3 million views in 10 weeks, this conversation challenges everything you think you know about what it takes to win in real estate right now. Key Topics Covered: Why calculating your dollar-per-hour (not just your GCI) changes everything about how you approach your business The counterintuitive strategy of turning away clients and how it actually leads to more (and better) business How to build leverage in your business without needing a massive team The listing appointment strategy that positions you as a leader instead of an order-taker Why Nolan hasn't met 10 of his clients in person (and why they're still giving him referrals) The green screen video strategy that built 3 million views in 10 weeks using just 20 minutes a day How to maximize internet leads by turning them into lifetime clients instead of one-off transactions Why peace of mind has ROI and how operating from abundance instead of scarcity attracts better opportunities The importance of surrounding yourself with people who think bigger than you do If you're grinding 60-hour weeks and still not hitting your income goals, this episode will make you rethink everything. Because the agents winning right now aren't working harder—they're working smarter. And they're willing to challenge every assumption about how real estate "should" work. Ready to level up your business with coaching, community, and mentorship from agents who are actually winning in today's market? Learn more about Next Level Agents and how to join eXp Realty at https://nextlevelagents.com/exp/. Visit my website here https://www.soldbyrucker.com/. ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠⁠

    55 min

About

Keep It Real with Nolan Rucker is a podcast about the real work it takes to grow in business and in life. This is me speaking from the trenches. I’m not at the top yet, but I’m on my way, and I’m sharing it all in real time. The wins, the losses, the habits, the mindset shifts, the discipline, and the doubt. No fluff, no filters. Just raw, unpolished lessons from someone building it day by day. You’ll hear a lot of real estate here, but this podcast is for anyone in any industry, any stage of life, any age. If you’re about growth, getting better, and keeping it real, you’ll feel at home here.